The strength sports are one of the oldest forms of athletics. They were used in earlier times for recreational purposes when a champion and a challenger were set up against each other with only their brawn as their weapon. More such games and competitions were part of medieval and early sports. The mythologies and folklore often tell stories of men and gods with superhuman strength who accomplished great deeds. Hercules will be a great example of that; so will be Atlas, who basically carries the heavens and earth on his shoulders. That is some serious strength there!
In the current era of codified sports, strength athletics has taken regulated and organized form, but they are nevertheless inspired by the rustic ones of the previous centuries. There are a number of games, competitions, and championships of old traditions and new that happen in various places – celebrating the sheer strength of muscles.